Ontario’s ag community share what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving

Good health and good crops were among the items mentioned

People throughout Canada will spend time with family and friends during Thanksgiving celebrations this weekend.

Before carving into a turkey surrounded by a variety of delicious sides, many will take a moment to give thanks to whatever, or whomever, has helped make 2017 successful.

With that at top of mind, Farms.com reached out to members of Ontario’s ag community to find out what they are thankful for this year.

Many farmers will be appreciative of September’s above-seasonal temperatures and the opportunity to get their crops off, according to Neil Currie, general manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

“I think most people are going to be thankful for that nice stretch of weather in September to dry things up a little bit,” he said. “Farmers will definitely see that as a blessing.”

Safety is always an important element of any farm operation and some producers are thankful they were able get through harvest without any injuries.

“I’m thankful we got through a year with no injuries to any workers,” Paul Arva, a ginseng, chicken and soybean farmer from Brant County who also works for a tobacco operation, told Farms.com, adding his farm is going to see a profit this year, which is always a sign of good fortune.

As some farmers are thankful for the dry weather that parts of Ontario has experienced recently, some are even more grateful for the rains that fell this year.

“I’m thankful for some excellent weather with rain,” Linda Grimo, chair of the Ontario Hazelnut Association and nut and fruit farmer from Niagara-on-the-Lake, told Farms.com.

And aside from the on-farm items to be thankful for, Ontario producers are also appreciative of the support system they have around them.

“I’m thankful for my community,” said Patti McKenzie, a beef and pork farmer from Tehkummah, Ont. which is located on Manitoulin Island. “It’s nice to know your neighbours have your back when you need their help.”

And at least one farmer is thankful for the growth of their family.

I am particularly thankful for my family and their health and happiness,” Emma Butlter, a beef producer from Chatham-Kent, Ont., told Farms.com. “In addition, my husband and I are celebrating our one-year wedding anniversary and expecting our own little farmer to arrive next month.”